Sakhee`s future undecided

Sakhee`s future remained in the balance today after his epic effort in the Breeders` Cup Classic.

Godolphin have yet to decide whether to retire the four-year-old, who failed by just a nose to capture the feature event at the world`s richest meeting, or keep him in training.

The colt was suffering his first defeat of the year at Belmont Park on Saturday after runaway wins in the Juddmonte International at York and Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp which had left him officially rated the best horse in Europe.

Lauren Barbarin, an assistant to trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said: 'We hope he comes back next year but no decision has been made on whether he goes to stud or continues his racing career - we should know very soon.'

Reflecting on his ding-dong battle with Tiznow, who eventually repeated his 2000 victory in the four-million dollar Classic by the narrowest of margins, Barbarin said: 'It was a great race, Tiznow is a great horse.

'It was an exceptional effort by Sakhee who was just one nose from making history. He is in very good form this morning. He is sound, and ready maybe for more racing.'

Tiznow is quoted at 16-1 by Coral to land the Classic for a third time, with Sakhee 20-1 to gain his revenge - and Juvenile winner Johannesburg 25-1.

Sakhee`s stable-companion Fantastic Light could be set for one last run after his three-quarters of a length defeat of Milan in last night`s Turf, with Godolphin eyeing next month`s Japan Cup for the horse who is due to start a stud career next year.

'No decision has been made,' Barbarin said. 'But he is in very good shape and we are keeping the Tokyo race in the back of our mind at the moment.'

Nothing has yet come to light to explain the defeat of Noverre, who was thought by jockey Frankie Dettori to have suffered an injury when a well-beaten favourite for the Mile.

Barbarin said: 'He ran a bit flat but he was sound this morning and we have found nothing wrong so far.'

Local trainer BobbyFrankel revealed that Sprint winner Squirtle Squirt may be aimed at a race on the Dubai World Cup card at Nad Al Sheba next spring.

Godolphin donated all their prize money to the New York Heroes Fund for victims of the World Trade Centre attack and a preliminary estimate of the total amount raised from similar pledges by other owners, trainers and jockeys is 2.76 million dollars.